Can Laxative Hurt Baby?

You would need to look at the package but most likely it will say to consult with your doc if you are. breastfeeding. I had the same problem early in my 1st pregnancy. Try increasing your fluid intake, pears, fiber one cereal, raisin bran, prune juice are all more natural ways to get your body going again. Congrats on the new bebe and breastfeeding!

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You can always use metamucil. It is just psillium (fiber). It can help soften your stool so that it will pass better. Also, the other comments about getting enough fluids and exercise (walking) are right on target. Most americans do not consume enough fiber in their diets, either, though. So try adding some metamucil once a day and also foods that are naturally high in fiber (celery, carrots, apples, bran, oatmeal, beans, etc). And try to stay away from the highly refined foods (donuts, white bread, etc) as they have virtually NO fiber. A lot of the breakfast cereals are starting to add fiber to their content. You can even buy POP-Tarts that have added fiber now. So if you don't want apples, try one of the new "fiber added" foods on the market! :)

Hope you feel better soon!

Eat a prune/dried plum followed by hot tea. Good luck -

I took one when my baby was first born b/c it was a LONG time before I could go after delivery. The hospital gave me one, but I can't remember which one. Ask your local pharmacist to recommend one that is safe for breastfeeding moms - they are a great resource for your and your baby when you have questions about drugs.

I did not take even a Tylenol while I was nursing so I am of no help to you that way. It seems silly to me for you t take something because he is not going to the bathroom though. My oldest daughter, now 14 had a really hard time at about 6 weeks. A couple of things that helped me was they make, or atleast did then, a glycerine based liquid suppository. I would give it to her and she would go with in minutes. It was in an enema type packaging. I also started to give her gripe water a couple of times a day. I think she just needed a little more liquid to soften her up.

my OB gave me laxatives to take home after the birth since i had stitches couldn't have any pushing, so yes, there are safe ones for breastfeeding. ask your doc. make SURE you are drinking enough water and not trying to do too much.

I know that a lot of hospitals give laxatives to breastfeeding moms after they have their babies b/c it can be quite painful to "go" after just giving birth.

If you are worried, you can call your doctor's office. They should be able to reassure you over the phone and/or recommend a brand.

You can also take psyllium fiber (Metamucil), which is not a medication. That can help with constipation.

Good luck and congratulations on bfing your new baby!

No, it won't hurt the baby. Doctors actualy recomend that you take a gentle laxative and it's also important that you keep taking your prenatal vitamins. Also, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, that will also help.

Hi N.
Yes laxative can hurt your baby. I had the same problem and my doctor told me to eat fruit and drink lots of fluids .Good luck with your baby

First, drink a lot of water daily. This will aide in producing breast milk and also aide your digestive system.
Rather than a laxative (everything you eat seems to affect the breast milk) try an enema. At least this will soften what stool is constipating you and allow the body to eliminate regularly. You may want to do more than one the first day about 2-4 hours apart. Depends on how your body reacts.
I know it's painful; but your body has just been through a major process...so take it easy, and time will bring you back up to feeling great.
Blessings, S.

I had that problem when I was pregnant, but not after. I recommend benefiber. It's just extra fiber, so it won't be harmful at all, it's good for you. And it really does dissolve completely like the say, it's not noticeable. They did give me a laxative the day after I had my babies because they said it could be really hard to go otherwise. I didn't need it though, so once I learned what it was I refused to take it.

I always had that problem, I have had and nursed 8 babies, and I just used vitiamin C. You can get it in little packets called emergan-C at walmart and such. It is about $10.00 for a box of 24 I think. Anyway vitamin C is a natural diaretic and will definatly help. Plus the vitamin C is really good for you and baby, any extra your body does not need just gets peed out. :) It is pretty much immidiete help, like within the hour. Take one a day to stay regular. By the way the reason you have a problem to begin with is because when you are nursing your body is taking all the water to make milk. This makes the stool harder and near impossible to pass. You need to drink a gallon of water to make one quart of milk. A 2 month old will drink about 2 quarts of milk a day. So if you are not drinking at least 2 gallons of water a day you will be dehydrated. Every time you go to nurse grab a BIG glass of water, finish it before the baby is done eating. This will help you get enough water. Any other liquid does not count as juice has to much sugar and anything with caffine will dehydrate you more.

Well I hope this helps, sorry to ramble on, I just know how you feel and want to help. :) Post again if you need anything else.
Momajess8

I was severely constipated when I came home from the hospital 6 weeks ago. I called my OB asking the same question since I was breastfeeding at the time. I used so many laxatives and it didn't affect my baby. I used correctol, castor oil, plus a few stool softeners. I completely understand your pain......I know that's not fun.

Life cereal and at least 30 minutes of walking a day help me out. I strap my baby in my front carrier, put on some music, and get moving. (I have a 7 week old) Also- you can ask your husband to massage your abdomen really well. That helps!

Don't use a laxative. Eat shredded wheat, blueberries, prunes, etc...... natural laxatives instead of medicine.....much safer for the baby

Laxatives are generally safe. Colace, dulcalax, and miralax are all safe.

According to Dr. Hale: Magnesium salts (< 15%) are poorly absorbed...they instead stay in the GI tract, pull in water, and induce diarrhea.

That means barely any gets in your breastmilk. Dr. Hale is well known in breastfeeding circles because he specifically does research on medications and breastmilk. You could get his book or call your lactation consultant or local LLL and ask them to look up any medications you might need to take. Because let's face it, every medication has a warning about using it if you're breastfeeding. Many doctors and pharmacists will just tell you to pump and dump because they really don't know. There are a lot of types of medications that are fine to take and nurse on. If you want to look for yourself, here is Dr. Hale's website. Just click on the guest link:

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/medicationforumspage.html

PS His book is called Medications and Mother's Milk by Dr. Thomas Hale, Ph.D.

I was prescribed colace (laxative) after having both of my children. I only took it when I absolutely needed to and I was breastfeeding (the doctor knew that I was exclusively bf). Talk with your doc about it and he/she might do the same.

Good luck!

Stay hydrated for you. My son required laxatives when he was months old too and the doctor recommend how much and how often. Their little systems are sensitive. He grew out of it and is doing fine now. Good luck! Hope he feels better!

Hi N.,

Please contact pediatrics.com for any question regarding a child, and WEBMD.com for adults.

All the best,

D. P